Perth community garden hit by repeat worm thefts as CCTV plan advances
Worm castings and plants stolen again from Padbury garden; council considers mobile CCTV camera.
Padbury Community Garden in Perth has been targeted repeatedly over two years. Thieves have stolen plants, seedlings and worm castings.
The thefts hurt especially because worms take months to turn food into castings. Garden volunteers spend hours keeping the worm farms going.
They carefully control what goes in: no cooked food, onions or citrus. An earlier loss was a $180 cherry tree stolen two days after planting.
The theft got attention on social media. Community members, including two Joondalup councillors, replaced the tree.
Now Padbury may get a mobile CCTV tower. The City of Joondalup has added the garden to its list for camera use.
They will consider reported incidents and safety concerns.
- $180
- Cherry tree cost
- 2 years
- Theft duration
- Padbury, Joondalup, Perth
- Location
Why it mattersCommunity spaces need security to stay open and welcoming. Cameras may protect volunteer work and deter thieves.
AustraliaPadbury Community Garden may get mobile CCTV cameras if Joondalup council approves funding and site assessment.
